Missing Southport dog Aarif has been found safe and well on National Dog Day

A dog which went missing on Ainsdale Beach in Southport 10 days ago - and saw thousands of people join the search to find him - is finally on his way back home.

Thousands of people have joined the Facebook site Find Aarif which was dedicated to reuniting a Skelmersdale family with their missing dog, Aarif. Aariff was seen in Formby a few days ago.

Mum-of-two Ulrike Halliwell spent several nights on Ainsdale beach , after her rescue dog went missing. Over 2,300 people joined the Find Aarif page on Facebook, which was set up after the Halliwells’ pet lurcher went missing on Sunday, August 16.

Ulrike spotted the news that Aarif was missing while she was on a mountain bike holiday with her husband and two children in France. She flew home early, and has since spent several nights parked near Ainsdale beach.

Ulrike said that her mother-in-law took the dog to Ainsdale beach for a walk when he went missing. She said: “He just ran off. He then refused to come back to the car, and just disappeared into the bushes.”

After an extensive search of the Ainsdale, Southport and Formby area, the missing pet has now been found.

Anne-Marie Farrow posted on the Find Aarif page: “Aarif has been found. The search team have managed to get him!

“More details to follow later.

“This is the news we have all been working towards.

“Thank you thank you EVERYONE who has helped no matter how when or where. He is safe now.”

Chris Farrow posted the photo everyone wanted to see - of Milo and Aarif together again, on their way home to their delighted family.